It wasn’t long ago that I had not heard of kale. Kale has grown in popularity due to its exceptional nutrient value, health benefits and flavor. I am fond of eating kale because it holds its texture even when cooked. For me, texture is one of the most important characteristics when eating vegetables. I like incorporating kale into pasta and soup recipes, one of which I have included below. This blog post will focus on how to successfully grow kale in your garden.
Kale has interesting varieties, including ornamental varieties. Here is a summary of the different varieties of kale:
- Curly Leaf (Darkibor, Westlander)
- Bumpy Leaf (Lacinato, Dinosaur)
- Plain Leaf (Red Russian, White Russian)
- Leaf and spear (a cross between curly and plain leaf)
- Ornamental (tougher leaves, grown for decoration)
A few interesting facts about kale:
- In 2012, kale salad at Brooklyn restaurant, Battersby, was named dish of the year by Bon Appétit
- Kale has its roots in Greek and Roman culture
- Before its rise to fame, kale was commonly used as a decorative garnish by restaurants
Kale is popular now, but people have been growing this super food for more than 2,000 years.
WebMD